[Extract]

My endeavours to get a few Muskets for your Troops have hitherto been fruitless  it is impossible to procure any here at this time, many of the Continental Troops in this City and in New York are without any, we are greatly distressed on that Account, some of our Vessels have returned without any, some have brought a few, a very few, and several that were expected with a Considrable quantity are missing supposed to be taken by our Enemies, every effort is exerted to get them made in these Colonies but this Source falls exceedingly short of our demands, however we have some Vessels out that may be expected about this time and we hope they will arive safe with a seasonable Supply.

a few days ago Thirteen Row Gallies built at the expense of this Province each carrying one Eighteen pounder attacked the Roebuck & Liverpool Men of War in the River about Twenty Miles below and obliged them to return to the Capes in a Shattered condition  it is thought if they had been fully supplied with powder & Ball they would have destroyed those Ships, the Boats expended in the engagement about four Tons of powder, the report of this day is that the Ships are gone out to sea supposed to be to Halifax or Virginia to repair the damage they received in this action...